QuestionQUESTION: Sir,
Have a 11 HP GX 340. It runs fine at idle and under small 110 V loads but when I put a demand on it, it stalls out. I can manually run the enine to a higher rpm with no problems but it will not automatically govern to a higher rpm under load. I originally thought it was the carb and i cleaned it and it ran better at all rpms but still won't govern to a higher rpm (runs fine when I hand govern it though)
ANSWER: Hello Nick:
>>Set the Governor.
>>The Following is an Instruction File I Made for Setting the Governor Arm Correctly. Any Input is Appreciated.
>>If you Removed/Loosened the Governor Arm from the Governor Shaft or Put the Linkage in a Bind when the Carburetor was Removed, then Reset the Governor.
>>**To Reset the Governor; Loosen the Governor Arm Bolt and Turn the Governor Shaft Clockwise Until it Stops.
>>Using the Governor Arm Hold the Carburetor to Full Throttle. Now with the Shaft Full Clockwise and the Governor Arm and Carburetor Held at Full Throttle, Tighten the Governor Arm Bolt.
>>If the Engine Still Runs Full Throttle, then Reverse the Rotation of the Governor Shaft, but Still Hold the Carburetor at Full Throttle with the Governor Arm.
>>**If it Still Runs at Full Throttle, then Check the Internal Governor.**
>>If Setting the Governor makes No Difference in the Engines Operation, then Idle the Engine Higher. Most Generators are Set to a High Idle and Rarely does the Governor Activate.
>>You can Use this Site Addy; http://www.honda-engines-eu.com/en/welcome.html and Select Service Information from the Drop Down Menu of the Service Tab. Then Select Troubleshooting, Owner Manual or Service Manual (whichever you are Looking for).
>>You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower/Engine at this Site Addy, http://hayward.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ASP&lang=EN&TF=Mainfram and Select the Catalog American Honda.
>>I have 2 of these Generators. They Idle High and Any Load Applied has Never Activated the Governor.
>>Please, Do Not Hesitate, If you Hit a Snag, if I Missed Something or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
>>PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: John,
thanks for the quick reply. One follow up question before I dive head first into this govenor.
I failed to mention the choke won't come off automatically anymore. I am not sure if this is related to the other problem or not. Is the diaphragm that pulls the choke off as the engine warms responsible for increasing the rpm when a higher load is applied?
The reason I ask this is because I have it adjusted to high idlealready, and when I plug in my air compressor, the engine dies out; BUT when I hand govern the engine to a higher rpm (higher than the maxed out idle speed), I can run the compressor no problem and the engine runs fine, but as soon as you release the govenor arm with the compressor running, it stalls out.
Basically, I am asking HOW the govenor increases rpm if it does not use the vacuum from a diaphragm? Maybe I have two separate problems?
AnswerHello Again Nick:
>>I'm Glad you Mentioned the Choke Not Opening.
>>The Choke Staying Closed will Cause the Problem you Described.
>>Try Holding the Choke Open and See if the Engine Operates Properly.
>>If the Governor was Bad, the Engine would Run at Excessive RPMs.
>>The Governor System behaves like an Unending Tug of War between One of Two Governor Springs, which Pull the Throttle Toward the Open Position, and a Spinning Crankshaft, which Tries to Close the Throttle. When the Load on the Engine Increases - a Typical Example is when you Move your Running Lawn Mower from the Driveway to the Grass - Crankshaft Revolutions Drop. But the Governor Spring is Still Tugging, Causing the Throttle Plate to Open. In Response, a Larger Volume of Air-Fuel Mixture Enters the Carburetor, Increasing Engine Speed to Compensate for the Increased Load. The Crankshaft Speeds Up, and the Tug of War Resumes, until a New Equilibrium is Achieved. With Each Change in Load, the Tension Between the Governor Spring and the Load Brings about a New Equilibrium, known as the Engine's Governed Speed. Neither Side Wins until the Engine is Shut Off. At that Point, without the Crankshaft Spinning, the Governor Spring Pulls the Throttle to the Wide-Open Position. Two Types of Governors are Common on Small Engines - Mechanical and Pneumatic.
>>I Used the GX340 LX Model Engine for a Reference and this Engine Uses a Mechanical Governor and Springs to Regulate the Engine Speed.
>>As I Said, if the Choke is Not Opening Up it will Cause the Problem you are Having.
>>Please, Do Not Hesitate, If you Hit a Snag, if I Missed Something or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please and as Always, May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
>>PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
Hi Nick:
>>I jsut Read you Comments and Ratings and Had to Write you. LOL. Obama Really doesn't want to Talk to me. LOL.
>>Thanks for the Great Comments and Ratings.
>>Thanks for Using All Experts. Till Next Time. May All Your Mechanical Problems be SMALL ONES and as Always May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks for making me LOL. It was Great Reading.
Best Wishes and Good Luck
Respectfully
John
